00642 Verges Booklet - Devon County Council

Japanese Knotweed (or other invasive Knotweeds) and
Giant Hogweed;
• Selective herbicides for the spot treatment of harmful
weeds, as identified by the Weeds Act 1959 as follows:
Common Ragwort, Broad Leaved Dock, Curled Dock,
Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle and Wild Oats. (see appendix
B).
The use of approved herbicides on rural verges must be kept to the
absolute minimum compatible with the required results to control
harmful weeds in areas of highway responsibility.
Herbicides should be used during the period when they are most
effective and the optimum results will be obtained. Herbicides should
not be applied during or before weather conditions that would render
their use ineffective or result in the contamination of surrounding
areas.
In some locations, such as moorland areas where weed growth is
unlikely to create a problem. The appropriate Authority should be
consulted before weedkilling is undertaken.
New verges should normally be sprayed with selective herbicides
across their full length and width within the first year.
Weed spraying near any watercourse requires Environment Agency
notification prior to work starting.The Environment Agency can offer
guidance on the control of weeds near watercourses.